House Speaker Paul Ryan, who said he never wanted to hold the gavel but accomplished many of his lifelong goals in the position, announced Wednesday he would not seek re-election to Congress.

After reports of his exit broke early in the morning and after meeting with House GOP members, the Wisconsin Republican made his upcoming departure official. He told reporters in his weekly press conference that he wished to spend more time with his children, but will see his term through to January.

Advertisement

"My kids aren't getting any younger," said Ryan, whose children weren't even born when he first came to the House in 1999. "If I stay, they're only going to know me as a weekend dad."

APAP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., arrives at a news conference to announce that he will not run for re-election at the end of this term, Wednesday, April 11, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Ryan's departure marks another major vacancy for the GOP as the party tries to hold on to the House with fears of a blue wave coming ahead of this year's midterms. At the same as Ryan's announcement, Rep. Dennis Ross of Florida added to a flood of Republican retirement announcements, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Rumors have swirled about Ryan leaving Congress, especially after he helped pass a massive tax reform package late last year -- one of his longtime goals. The father of three told CBS in a January interview that he and his wife would make a decision about his future in the spring.

Along with tax reform, Ryan said he was proud to help usher through a budget with a hefty to boost to Pentagon coffers with the aim of "rebuilding our nation's military."

"I think I've done my little part in history to set up on a great course," he said.

President Donald Trump tweeted warm wishes for the speaker. The pair worked closely in the push for tax reform.

"Speaker Paul Ryan is a truly good man," he said, "and while he will not be seeking re-election, he will leave a legacy of achievement that nobody can question. We are with you Paul!"

Speaker Paul Ryan is a truly good man, and while he will not be seeking re-election, he will leave a legacy of achievement that nobody can question. We are with you Paul!

Republican Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana appear to be the top candidates to replace Ryan.

Ryan came to Congress in 1999 just before he turned 30 and reluctantly took over the speaker position from the retiring John Boehner in 2015. Ryan was also was former presidential candidate Mitt Romney's running mate in the 2012 election.